Woman escapes burning home, but dies after going back inside

TURNER STATION, KY (WAVE) - A new mother died after a fire ripped through her home in Carroll County. The name of the 37-year-old woman, who leaves behind a 4-month-old baby, has not been released, but firefighters think they know what caused the blaze.

"His father's up there, he's not in good shape," said Donna Spurr, a family member. "They lost everything and she lost her life."

It was around 5 a.m. December 2 when the fire broke out in family's home.

"I got my wife out, that's the main thing," the child's great-grandfather said. "I would have saved the other one, but I couldn't get to her."

The victim's fiancé's family lived next door. Their mobile homes were connected by stairs. His grandparents and aunt are lucky they survived.

"Go on with life, that about all I can do," the great-grandfather said.

Family members told us the baby's father noticed the flames and let his grandparents next door know. They all got out alive, but the baby's mother decided to go back into the burning home to get bottles and diapers.

"When they found her, she wasn't a foot from the door," Spurr said. "She almost got back out."

Crews from the Westside and Ghent Fire Departments rushed to the home tucked away on a hill. Westside Chief Clyde Rowlett told WAVE 3 News that a space heater may be to blame for the fire. Rowlett used the tragedy to send an urgent reminder to never step into a burning building.

"She took a chance," said Rowlett, "and I mean, baby bottles, baby clothes can be replaced, she can't, she can't.''

With the death of his mother, the baby is left in the hands of his father and family. The father also has a 4-year-old boy who was not home during the time of the fire, but lost all his belongings.

The crisis center in Carrollton is accepting donations. They are in need of the following items: